THE head of the Claudia Lawrence investigation says he is confident detectives' current lines of inquiry will lead to arrests, as a fresh search was conducted outside her home.

Teams of specialist officers and a dog unit today (Wednesday, Friday 25) searched the alley behind Claudia Lawrence's home in Heworth Road, York, after a fresh lead caused them to believe it may be "significant" to the inquiry. They were looking for anything discarded that might be linked to the suspect or Claudia.

Officers were also carrying out fresh house-to-house inquiries and contacting people who have since moved from the area.

Miss Lawrence, who worked as a chef at York University and was 35 when she went missing, has not been seen since 2009. Next month will mark the sixth anniversary since her disappearance.

Following the start of a review in 2013, a 60-year-old man was arrested last year in connection with her disappearance and suspected murder but was later released without charge, while a 47-year-old man remains on bail on suspicion of perverting the course of justice.

Speaking outside Miss Lawrence's home this morning (Wednesday, February 25) Detective Superintendent Dai Malyn, who is leading the inquiry, said: “We never give up and the experience of examining Claudia’s house was a positive one because we got fresh information from that.

“So I’m determined to resolve this case and if this lead is significant, I’m confident I have the right team and specialists in place to progress that.”

He said the work the team had done over the last 12 months had allowed them to make significant progress and would continue to do so, but the co-operation of the public was still vital.

He added: “What I am reliant on, is the fact that the public hold the relevant key and information.

“As long as we keep it fresh through this type of work I’m convinced somebody will come forward. I’m confident the lines of enquiry we have at the moment will lead to potential arrests, but obviously we have to have the legal basis and consider proportionality.

“We’ve made two arrests and we will arrest people we think are perverting the course of justice or withholding information that may be key to resolving this case.”

Mr Malyn said he is sure people have lied to his detectives and stressed he still did not know what happened to the university kitchen worker.

Miss Lawrence's father, Peter Lawrence said: "Somebody clearly does know what happened and maybe from a misguided sense of loyalty they've kept quiet. Hopefully this very thorough investigation, and keeping it in the public, will make them change their mind."

The search comes before her family would mark her 41st birthday on Friday (February 27). Miss Lawrence, whose parents lived in Darlington, was brought up in Malton, North Yorkshire.

Mr Lawrence said: "It's difficult all the time but when there's a birthday, when you get the anniversaries and at Christmas it's just worse. Claudia ought to be with us."

Local residents say they welcomed what appeared to be promising investigative developments, saying the incident still shocked the community.

Valerie Hields, from the Heworth area of York said: “It would be nice for her father Peter Lawrence if they make a break through. It is such a horrible experience for him and her mother.”

Navid Khan, owner of the Costcutter store in Heworth, said: “I remember Claudia used to come in here as a customer. This is such a safe area, that’s the shocking thing.”